6 Important DIY HVAC Repair and Maintenance Tips for Your Home

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Home HVAC units use over 5 percent of the electricity produced in the United States. For most homeowners, finding a way to make the HVAC system in their home run more efficiently is a top concern. Providing your unit with maintenance and repairs is essential when trying to keep it operational.

Most homeowners fail to realize there are a number of things they can do on their own to keep their unit running efficiently. The key to successful DIY HVAC maintenance is being consistent with your efforts. Sporadically providing your unit will maintenance will lead to it breaking down.

Are you looking for advice on how to maintain your home’s HVAC unit? If so, check out the great tips below.

1. DIY HVAC Maintenance Starts With Checking and Changing Air Filters

The key component of any good-running HVAC unit is the right amount of air flow. If air is not able to flow through the various parts of your unit with ease, it will lead to big problems. A system that struggles for air will be consistently overworked, which means repair issues will become a common occurrence.

The best thing you can do to keep your unit’s air flow in good shape is checking and changing your air filters. The air filter your unit has is designed to remove things like dust and pollen from your indoor air supply.

The longer you wait to change out this air filter, the higher the risk will become of it getting clogged. Changing a pleated-type air filter once every two months will allow you to avoid air flow issues.

2. Sealing Up Your Ducts is Essential

Lowering your monthly energy bill is something you probably view as a priority. As the temperatures outside heat up, you will need to run your HVAC unit more. This increased use can lead to big increases in your energy bill if your unit is not being properly maintained.

One of the biggest sources of energy waste in most homes is leaks in the ductwork. If you are trying to pinpoint which duct has an air leak, you can use the old smoke trick. By lighting incense around a particular duct, you can see if the smoke blows around.

If you do see smoke blowing around, this means there is a leak. Sealing around the duct with foil tape is the best solution for this problem. Allowing this problem to persist will cost you a lot of money in the long run.

3. Servicing Your Compressor and Condenser

Getting to know the various parts of your HVAC unit is a good idea. The compressor and condenser are two of the HVAC parts you need to pay attention to when performing maintenance. Often times, these components will be found in the outside portion of your HVAC system.

Making sure there is 2 feet of clear space around the outside portion of your unit can help the proper amount of air circulating. Over time, the condenser may get covered with dirt and other debris.

Using a water hose to clean off this debris is a good idea. By doing this, you can increase the airflow your unit gets. This will help it run more efficiently and will allow you to avoid issues with overheating.

4. Increasing Shade Decreases Your HVAC Unit’s Workload

Dealing with the scorching temperatures of summer can be difficult without a functional HVAC unit. During this time of year, the workload you put on this unit will increase substantially. The harder you run your unit, the higher the risk becomes of it breaking down.

One of the main things you need to do to decrease this workload is working in putting more window coverings in place. Reducing the amount of direct sunlight your home is exposed to can help to keep it cooler.

If you have a larger patio window that is exposed to direct sunlight, putting a retractable awning over it is a good idea. Consulting with HVAC professionals is a great way to get more ideas about how to reduce the strain put on your unit. You can read more here about the benefits of hiring HVAC professionals to help you with maintenance and repairs.

5. Check For Wiring Problems

Inspecting every part of your HVAC unit can help you detect repair issues early on. In most cases, the earlier you can catch these issues, the less damage they will be able to cause.

When performing these inspections, pay close attention to the electrical wiring your unit has. Checking to make sure the wires feeding your unit with power aren’t damaged is important. If you see that the covering on these wires has been removed, you need to contact an electrician immediately.

Exposed wires can arc, which may lead to important parts of your HVAC unit getting damaged. Allowing an electrician to find and fix these problems can help you avoid being without your HVAC unit when it is needed the most.

6. Seeking Out Professional Help is Not a Bad Thing

If you are faced with serious HVAC repair issues, you may need to avoid addressing them on your own. Dealing with things like refrigerant leaks can be complicated, which is why hiring a certified HVAC technician is a good idea.

With their help, you can diagnose and fix these issues in a timely manner. If there is a leak, these professionals can track it down and add more refrigerant once repairs have been performed.

Avoiding HVAC Repair Issues is a Horrible Idea

Once you notice signs of HVAC trouble, your main goal needs to be getting them fixed in a hurry. Whether you hire a professional or perform DIY HVAC repairs, getting these issues handled quickly can save you a lot of money.

Are you looking for more information on buying or maintaining a home? If so, check out our article on modern homes that buyers want.

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Melissa Thompson

Melissa is a mother of 2, lives in Utah, and writes for a multitude of sites. She is currently the EIC of HarcourtHealth.com and writes about health, wellness, and business topics.